Hot-air balloon accident reported in Virginia at inaugural event

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) –A hot air balloon accident has been reported tonight at the Mid-Atlantic Balloon Festival.

The accident was first reported by Facebook viewers, and police confirmed they have also received calls and are headed to the scene. A press conference is expected soon.

The incident is reported to have happened near Carmel Church Road.

An eyewitness tell us that a balloon or possibly two balloons drifted into power lines and caught on fire.

There are reports on social media that people are unaccounted for at this time.

Caroline County sheriff Tony Lippa tell CBS 6 reporter Jon Burkett that they have requested mutual aid from Henrico County and state police, but at this have found no evidence of a balloon crash.

This is the inaugural event for Richmond. The first night kicked off with live music, food and drinks. Hot air balloon teams from all over the United States were expected to participate.

The event website page says that Friday was supposed to be a special limited-ticket happy hour to watch balloon teams take off in flight. Tickets for this event were advance-sale only and limited to 1,500 people, based on the website info.

CBS 6 viewer Patty Christopher tell us that a command center is set up at Signboard and Loving Roads, but this information is not confirmed.

Virginia State Police confirmed they have received reports of a possible hot-air balloon crash near Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.

State police are responding to the area to search for a crashed balloon. At this time we have no confirmation of injuries or deaths, police said.